Conquering Isolation and Loneliness in Columbia, SC—Counselors and Coaches

Everyone is connected to everyone else these days. Instagram. Google Chat. Snapchat. FaceTime. Facebook. Twitter. With the press of a button on a smart phone or tablet, someone in Boston can see and speak to someone in Tokyo. But much like people can be in a room filled with people and still feel lonely, people can have access to technology and social media that allows them to connect while still feeling disconnected from people. In fact, research is showing that social media may be a lead contributor to loneliness people feel.

People may be sharing their selfies, but are they sharing themselves? Connecting with loved ones is not necessarily the same as interacting with them on social media. Deep connection occurs when people are known to each other—when friends know each other’s fears and doubts, when loved ones know each other’s hopes and dreams. Fighting loneliness means pursuing healthy relationships.

“Our uniqueness makes us special, makes perception valuable—but it can also make us lonely. This loneliness is different from being ‘alone’: You can be lonely even surrounded by people. The feeling I’m talking about stems from the sense that we can never fully share the truth of who we are. I experienced this acutely at an early age.” —Amy Tan

Within a healthy relationship, people share their truth, as author Amy Tan explains, and they are accepted for who they are. To fight their social isolation, many people are setting their tables and phones down, and they are tuning into their friends and family members. They are opening up about their own lives, and through these healthy connections, many are feeling less lonely.

If you are like most, you may be reading this and thinking, “well, I’m just not great with social skills.” That is an understandable thought, but the truth is that social skills are like any other skills—people can improve. Some may be naturally better than others, but everyone can do better. Many people are working with a counselor or coach to do just that—learn the social skills they need to build a deep community for themselves.

That is why Thriveworks Columbia offers counseling and coaching for loneliness—the isolation of modern life is not inevitable. We have worked with many clients who felts alone, but with intentional effort, they now have a network of support and care.

Building a Support Network

A skilled therapist can help people find the particular social skills they should cultivate and will help them the most. However, there are a few tips that can help almost all people as they are building up a support networks. Here are a few keys to having better relationships and feeling less lonely:

Key #1: Rethink Community.
Sometimes people do not see how much community they already have in their lives because they measure it by a preconceived standard that their current relationships do not fit. People may think of community as an idealistic Normal Rockwell cover for The Saturday Evening Post or according to their favorite sitcom. However, community is rarely that perfect. Today, people are rethinking community.

Having community does not necessarily mean living one’s life within the same small town. People are defining communities in ways that work for them. For some, that means joining an adult volleyball team, a book club, or a religious group. For others, it means volunteering at a local pet shelter or as a youth soccer coach. Community can be anything, so long as people feel connected and known.

Community can be anything, and it can be found anywhere. Many people still find meaningful connection in those small towns. Others enjoy the bustle of a city where they know their favorite corner store is open 24/7. Others wants the rhythm of a suburban life. Deep community can be found online as well, when intentionally pursued.

Key #2: Pursue Inner-Circle Friends.
Healthy community means having all different kinds of relationships—some deeper than others. Acquaintances are the easier type of relationships to build. They are usually built upon convenience, but they also dissolve easily. People also need deeper relationships—they need inner-circle friends. These friends are the people to call to share a success or a disappointment, and they return the favor. These friendships last through life’s challenges and changes. Inner circles friends…

Interact with each other outside of the original context where they met. You may have connected with this first at work or through the Parent Teacher Organization, but inner-circle friends move beyond convenience and support each other in different contexts.

Can ditch poker night or the manicure when one or the other needs to talk. They can just be together with no other activities.

Trust each other with their true selves. When people go through a divorce or receive a promotion at work, their inner-circle friends will know about it.

Counseling for Isolation at Thriveworks Columbia

Are you ready to learn more about building community and conquering loneliness? Anyone can establish a strong support network, and many people are working with a counselor or a coach to learn how. Thriveworks Columbia has appointments available for fighting loneliness and building community.

At our office, we make evening and weekend appointments available, and we accept most insurance plans. When you first call to schedule a session, you may be meeting with your therapist the following day. We do not keep a waitlist. Our hope is that every client who wants more community in their lives will received the help they need when they need it. Contact Thriveworks Columbia today.

People Love Our Providers!

Patrick is a STAR

★★★★★

I was ready to give up hope of ever healing from PTSD when I found Thriveworks. Patrick’s approach using CPT...Read more

worked when traditional counseling by several other therapists had failed. I really was beginning to believe PTSD was just something I’d have to learn to live with, but Patrick taught me how to work through my issues using the worksheets on my own. As a military spouse, my time with Patrick had a deadline as my husband’s service time at Fort Jackson came to a close. Patrick ensured that I took with me the tools to continue working through my issues long after leaving his office. I can’t thank him enough for changing my inner voice, and giving me the power to stop negative thoughts and process them in a healthy way. Patrick changed my life and after struggling for all of my adult life, I finally have the confidence to live without shame and understand my value. He has a deep understanding of the unique struggles military couples face, and worked tirelessly with my husband and me. Thank you, and Patrick, for teaching me how to save myself and my marriage.

Be your on critic

★★★★★

I've been in and out of therapy and hospitals over the past couple of years. I have had bouts of depression a...Read more

nd a lot of trauma that I have had to work through. I also have a pattern of running away and getting mad when I'm challenged or things don't go my way, but this time I didn't run and haven't ran.
Dr. Pena was very encouraging, down to earth, caring, and helpful which was a blessing.
But warning to all, she is a busy lady and sometimes getting an apt can be tricky. But she will make time and do what she can to see you. My advice is get in and keep your apps, because there is a reason she is busy, but never too busy to return a text or come in when she didn't have to. Thank you because that little bit of care and time actually meant more to me than anyone can imagine.

Highly Recommend

Patrick is great! He challenges you, but in a constructive manner. Scheduling with Thriveworks is amazing!

- T.M

Thriveworks Counseling Columbia

Patrick is a STAR

★★★★★

I was ready to give up hope of ever healing from PTSD when I found Thriveworks. Patrick’s approach using CPT...Read more

worked when traditional counseling by several other therapists had failed. I really was beginning to believe PTSD was just something I’d have to learn to live with, but Patrick taught me how to work through my issues using the worksheets on my own. As a military spouse, my time with Patrick had a deadline as my husband’s service time at Fort Jackson came to a close. Patrick ensured that I took with me the tools to continue working through my issues long after leaving his office. I can’t thank him enough for changing my inner voice, and giving me the power to stop negative thoughts and process them in a healthy way. Patrick changed my life and after struggling for all of my adult life, I finally have the confidence to live without shame and understand my value. He has a deep understanding of the unique struggles military couples face, and worked tirelessly with my husband and me. Thank you, and Patrick, for teaching me how to save myself and my marriage.

Be your on critic

★★★★★

I've been in and out of therapy and hospitals over the past couple of years. I have had bouts of depression a...Read more

nd a lot of trauma that I have had to work through. I also have a pattern of running away and getting mad when I'm challenged or things don't go my way, but this time I didn't run and haven't ran.
Dr. Pena was very encouraging, down to earth, caring, and helpful which was a blessing.
But warning to all, she is a busy lady and sometimes getting an apt can be tricky. But she will make time and do what she can to see you. My advice is get in and keep your apps, because there is a reason she is busy, but never too busy to return a text or come in when she didn't have to. Thank you because that little bit of care and time actually meant more to me than anyone can imagine.

Highly Recommend

Patrick is great! He challenges you, but in a constructive manner. Scheduling with Thriveworks is amazing!

- T.M

Thriveworks Counseling Columbia

Best money ever spent

★★★★★

This place is amazing and what therapy is about. Dr. Pena, Patrick, James, Rachell, it really doesn't matter w...Read more

ho you are going to see you will be cared for. Accountability and commitment to helping you move forward with whatever issues you face is where they shine. They listen, they care, they help you set small goals and they help give you the tools you need succeed with your goal. Couldn't ask for a better set up and a great location!

the Oasis amongst my chaos

★★★★★

Deceived into moving to this city, I sought marriage counseling and tried three separate counselors and an add...Read more

itional counselor after I was abandoned. Not only did those other counselors not listen properly to be able to understand the dynamics of my situation, they didn't have the proper experience to recognize the complexity of the symptoms I was displaying, nor could they fully understand what I was going through. How can someone help us if they don't understand? They can't. Nor can we teach our children to tie their shoes if we don't know how to tie shoes ourselves. Even though I knew the name of the abuse I was subjected to, I was emotionally dismissed by other counselors throughout the city. Once I found Dr. Pena and read through all her credentials, her experience, her specialties, her background and experience with the Military, I thought she sounded too good to be true. With the complexities of what my family has been through, I finally found some hope again. Dr. Pena is highly intelligent, compassionate, patient, quick witted and humorous. She also pulls no punches, which is what we need sometimes. I only wish I would have found her sooner so I didn't have to go through the hell I've been through alone, without her proper guidance. I am eager to continue learning the coping strategies she's teaching me and to continue to heal and grow as an individual and as a parent. Until my journey is complete and my heart and soul are healed, Dr. Pena shall remain the Oasis amongst my chaos.

will never leave thriveworks!!

★★★★★

Absolutely love and the staff! They genuinely care about me and my family! We are not an instance claim.or a c...Read more

ase number, we are individuals and treated as such! I would never recommend another theraputical office to anyone else.! I wish I could give 10 stars because they deserve it!!!! HIGHLY recommend to anyone seeking services!